EventsHebrew Theological College - Beis HaMidrash LaTorah is committed to the advancement of scholarship in accordance with the principles of Orthodox Judaism, providing academic programs to produce Torah Scholars, who will provide Rabbinic and lay leadership, serving the Jewish community in their professional and personal vocations.http://www.htc.edu
Sun, 18 Feb 2018 04:57:18 +0000Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Managementen-gbHTC Holds Shloshim Memorial for Rabbi Yitzchak Sender, zt”lhttp://www.htc.edu/events/item/415-htc-shloshim-memorial-rabbi-yitzchak-sender.html
http://www.htc.edu/events/item/415-htc-shloshim-memorial-rabbi-yitzchak-sender.html

On Sunday, January 28th, Hebrew Theological College held a Shloshim Memorial to pay tribute to Rabbi Yitzchak Sender,zt"l, a long time Rosh Yeshiva at Beis HaMidrash LaTorah. HaRav Sender was a Musmach of our yeshiva, an extraordinary Marbitz Torah through his manyseforim, beloved Rebbe to countlesstalmidim and a champion of Torah who, with his genuine warmth andahavasyisrael, made an indelible impact on Klal Yisrael.

The Shloshim Memorial was attended by friends, Yeshiva students andcommunity members, who came to pay tribute to their Rebbe and teacher. The program included remarks from Rabbi Moshe Sender, Rabbi Binomin Olstein, Rabbi Pinchas Eichenstein and Rabbi Avraham Friedman who shared hespedimand memories. In addition, HTC was honored by the attendance of Rebbetzin Sender and her children.

The highlight of the evening was the keynote address by Mr. Moishe Bane, the President of the Orthodox Union. Mr. Bane’s topic was, "3 Existential Threats to American Orthodoxy," and touched the dangers of the internet, challenges of Jewish identity and ethics issues in the community. You can watch a replay of the speech at: https://youtu.be/Jzuw66ZHgfM

Throughout the weekend Mr. Bane spoke at many shuls and community gatherings about the work of the Orthodox Union, including visits with the leadership of Midwest NCSY and Chicago Yachad. Blitstein Institute sponsored a unique event focused on shidduchim, hosted by Rochie and David Porush, with Mrs. Joanne Bane. Mrs. Bane is a well-known and respected shadchan, whose advice is sought by families throughout North America and beyond. Over 25 mothers participated in a very interactive and informative discussion.

Hebrew Theological College will be undergoing a comprehensive evaluation visit from the Higher Learning Commission, our accreditors, on March 12-14, 2018. The visiting team will review the institution's ongoing ability to meet the Commission's Criteria for Accreditation. Hebrew Theological College is currently on probation.

As part of this process, the Commission requires institutions undergoing such visits to invite the public to provide written comments* to the Commission. We invite you as a member of our community to participate in this process by contacting the Higher Learning Commission and submitting a third-party comment (click here).

Alternatively, you can send mail to the Commission:

Third-Party Comment on Hebrew Theological College

Higher Learning Commission

230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500

Chicago, IL 60604-1411

Hebrew Theological College continues to serve the needs of the community by providing academic programs to produce Torah Scholars, and to produce Torah-imbued college graduates and superior advanced graduate and professional programs for all qualified students who, upon graduation, will serve the Jewish community and humanity through their professional and personal vocations.

All comments must be received by February 13, 2018.

*Please note that any individual with a specific dispute or grievance with HTC should request the Higher Learning Commission's separate policy on complaints. The Commission cannot settle disputes between institutions and individuals, whether faculty, students, or others. Complaints will not be considered as comments.

Hebrew Theological College was saddened to learn of the loss of HaRav Aryeh Rottman, zt'l. Rav Rottman, a prestigious alumnus of our Yeshiva was the founder and Menahal of Yeshivas Mercaz HaTorah in Talpiot, Jerusalem. Rav Rottman attended Bais Hamidrash LaTorah-Hebrew Theological College as a student where he learned from the famed Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Chaim Kreisworth, zt"l. Rav Rottman graduated in 1953 and received his Semicha in 1959.

Early in Rav Rottman's career, he started out as a Rav in Miami Beach, Florida where he opened the Mesivta of Miami Beach at a time before Jewish high schools existed in the area. He then assumed the position of Rav in Long Beach, NY and founded the Yeshiva of Long Beach.

After the Six Day War, many American Yeshiva students were drawn to continue their Torah studies in Eretz Yisroel. Rav Rottman recognized the need for a yeshiva designed to meet the specific needs of American students and went on to establish Mercaz Hatorah. Under the guidance of the Steipler Gaon, zt"l, he also established a unique Kollel with the goal of cultivating educators for future rabbinic roles in Eretz Yisroel. With his unique personal guidance, for close to 5 decades, Rav Rottman impacted the lives and taught Torah to thousands of students.

"This was the chinuch he received from our Yeshiva," said his nephew and FYHS Rebbi, Rabbi Meir Segal. "To have hakaros hatov by giving back to fellow Jews just as the past Jewish teachers gave to you."

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים

May the Omnipresent comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

Jewish music sensation, Benny Friedman, joined hundreds of students and community members for a kumzitz following the 95th Gala Celebration. Throughout the evening Benny sang heartfelt songs to honor each honoree, followed by a number of niggunim during dinner. FYHS student, Shai Younger, spoke to the crowd of 500+ guests sharing his experiences at Skokie Yeshiva. Students from each division spoke at the dinner spoke throughout the event and shared their experiences at Hebrew Theological College.

HTC is grateful to all those who attended and contributed to this year's Gala campaign in support of HTC and its vital programming. Special thank you to the Rabbinic Tribute Committee, Dinner Chairman and Honorary Chairman, as well as Mr. Brian Levinson and Mr. Shabsai Wolfe, Co-Chairmen of HTC Board of Governors. In addition, HTC thanks Rabbi Yehuda Polstein for serving as Master of Ceremonies.

HTC looks forward to a bright future as we enter our 96th year and beyond!

Hebrew Theological College invites all present and former talmidim and parents to join us for lively hakafos and refreshments followed by laining at our Simchas Torah celebration in West Rogers Park at the Bernard Horwich JCC on October 12, at 9:45 PM.

September 1, 2017 -Hebrew Theological College is pleased to announce that Shalom Klein has been appointed in a newly created role of Director of External Affairs. In this position, Klein will work with the Beis Midrash & College for Men, Blitstein Institute for Women, Fasman Yeshiva High School and Yeshivas Hakayitz on leading marketing strategy, public relations efforts and expanding HTC's presence online and in the community.

Over the past few years, Rabbi Joshua Zisook has overseen the marketing at HTC and we thank him for all of his efforts. Going forward, Rabbi Zisook will assume a more active role in alumni relations, while continuing his roles in the admissions departments of the college and high school.

"I am enthusiastic about bringing innovative initiatives to HTC which has a nearly 100-year-history," Klein said. "The programs, faculty and administration of this incredible institution provide so much to our Chicagoland Jewish community. I embrace the opportunity to help bring this message to new audiences, in addition to the thousands of alumni and committed supporters."

Rabbi Shmuel L. Schuman, CEO of HTC said about Klein, "We are very excited to add Mr. Shalom Klein to our team here at HTC. As Director of External Affairs, Shalom will play a critical role in showcasing the many institution-wide HTC programs and accomplishments of our students. We are confident that with Shalom's enthusiasm and strong history of community service, HTC will be visible and more relevant to our stakeholders in Chicago and beyond."

Prior to accepting this role, Klein has been working with Fasman Yeshiva High School as the College and Career Guidance Counselor and he will continue to work with families and students in offering strategies for education and professional success. Klein also has been the leadoff instructor for the new entrepreneurship classes offered by HTC's College for Men.

Shalom hosts a weekly radio show, Get Down To Business with Shalom Klein on AM 560 in Chicago. He has serves served as Executive Director of the Jewish Community Council of West Rogers Park, Chairman of the Village of Skokie Economic Development Commission and many small business and employment task forces in Illinois and at the White House. Shalom earned his M.A. from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership and is currently completing his doctorate in educational leadership.

Hebrew Theological College, founded in 1921, is committed to producing Torah-imbued college graduates who will serve the Jewish community and humanity through their professional and personal vocations. Hebrew Theological College provides coursework leading to undergraduate degrees in Judaic Studies, Accounting, Business, Education, English, Health Sciences, Psychology and Speech and Language Pathology. In addition to the two college divisions - the Men's Beis Midrash/College program and the Blitstein Teachers Institute for Women - Hebrew Theological College also includes the Fasman Yeshiva High School preparatory division for young men. Hebrew Theological College is a member of the Touro College and University System, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and a partner in serving our community, supported by the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. For more information on Hebrew Theological College, please go to http://www.htc.edu

The theme of this year’s Blitstein 2017-2018 Student Manual says, “Make it Yours”. As new students starting the new academic year in the post seminary experience the time has truly come to “Make it Yours”. This can refer to the idea that “This is my Life” – it is I who now will be responsible for taking the reins and guiding the direction of my life. Up to this point, every year of elementary school and high school was required attendance, required participation, required homework, progressing in lock step formation with the rest of the cohort moving through life. That era has ended for you. You are now at the amazing, wonderful, incredible, mind-blowing point in your life where you are blessed with the opportunity to “Make it Yours”. Your spiritual life, your educational life, your physical life, your social life, the workings of your day-to-day life are now your responsibility. This is an awesome moment.

As we move through the weeks of the summer, we study Pirkei Avos each Shabbos. Hillel Hatzaddik, says in the Mishna, “Im ein ani li mi li - If I am not for me, who will be for me? “ The Rambam (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon – Maimonides 1135-1204) says that no one can motivate you to accomplish great things in your life. This is up to you. You might rely on the righteousness of your ancestors and the strength of your parents to help you, however, the Chasam Sofer (Rabbi Moshe Schreiber 1762-1839 ) expounds on the words “mi li”- Who will be for me? He expresses the thought that your forebears cannot take the place of you yourself. In fact if you don’t live up to the potential set forth by your predecessors, their greatness might illuminate your own iniquities. It is your moment to make it yours.

Mi li? Only you know your strengths and your deepest personal weaknesses, only you know what tends to impede your forward growth. You alone know yourself best and even you might not be fully aware of all that you might be capable of achieving. Rav Avraham Yaakov HaCohen Pam 1913 – 2001), the revered Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaas, had a famous parable of the “Poor Millionaire”. He would beseech his students not to live spiritually impoverished lives when in reality they were millionaires. He would describe the affliction of tzoraas on the walls of houses belonging to those who had sinned with Lashon Hora (gossip / slander). The affliction on the walls necessitated the demolishing of those walls of the house. This was obviously considered a great punishment, resulting in the wailing and despondency of the inhabitants. However, Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040 – 1105), in his commentary on Parshas Metzorah, describes how when the walls were torn down, gold and jewels that had been hidden by the previous Cannanite inhabitants were exposed. This led to great joy as opposed to the tears of devastation. Prior to the revelation of the hidden jewels these inhabitants were “poor millionaires”, unaware of the riches they owned.

War veterans tend to reflect fondly upon their war years. Even though those years may have been arduous and grueling, replete with deprivations in the most difficult of living conditions. Whence the fond memories and nostalgia? These soldiers, while recalling the physical punishments, filth and hunger, also recall being pushed to the very limits of their abilities and surviving. They remember the moments of losing any hope of success and nevertheless succeeding. They recall the selfless devotion to their comrades in arms and the support gained from those deep bonds of loyalty. They were the ultimate poor millionaires. They were in the very worst of physical conditions but they were in the position to learn what greatness lay hidden within and what they were capable of doing for their fellow man.

This leads to the second part of the Mishna. Hillel continues, “U’chsheani l’atzmi ma ani – and if I am only for myself, what am I?”. Rabbi Moshe Francis, the Rosh Yeshiva of the Chicago Commuity Kollel, recently spoke at Blitstein’s Rosh Chodesh Projeect for Women presenting an address to mark Chodesh Elul. He repeated the gemara, “Kol hamerachem al haBrios, merachamim alav min HaShamayim – all who show mercy to their fellow creations, He receives mercy from the Creator.”

As you take charge of your lives, you acquire ownership of who you wish to be and how you will get there – raise your eyes and look around. Who needs you? Who needs a smile, a meal, a chat? Who needs you to look away from your own needs so that you might see theirs.

May Hashem bless all of us, as we near the Yemai Hadin – the Days of Awe, with bracha and hatzlacha. May you all dig deep, become aware of the greatness of which you are capable and “Make it Yours” . May we raise our eyes and attend to those who need our love and support and be granted Hashem’s rachamim. May we all receive the blessings of K’siva v’chasima tova so that we can take the blessing of a new year and “Make it Ours”.